Maccaferri was proud to participate in GeoAsia8, held from June 10 to 13, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. As one of the leading international conferences dedicated to geosynthetics and geotechnical engineering, GeoAsia8 brought together industry leaders, technical experts, and innovators from around the world to share the latest developments in sustainable infrastructure solutions.

As a long-standing contributor to the geosynthetics community, Maccaferri showcased its technical capabilities and commitment to sustainability through an engaging booth exhibition, presentations, and collaboration with global colleagues. The event provided a platform to demonstrate how our geosynthetic technologies are transforming complex infrastructure challenges into resilient and environmentally responsible solutions.

A key highlight of our participation was the presentation of the technical paper titled “Shored Hybrid Reinforced Soil Embankment at Bridge No. 42 – USBRL Project, Jammu & Kashmir, India.” The paper, presented by Ratnakar Mahajan, Regional Technical Manager at Maccaferri India, was co-authored with Matteo Lelli and Gianluca Spadaro. It detailed a significant infrastructure achievement under the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, focusing on Bridge No. 42.

This project was awarded as the Winner of the IGS Corporate Case Study Competition for the Asian Region at GeoAsia8. This prestigious competition, open exclusively to corporate members of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), recognizes outstanding applications of geosynthetics in real-world engineering projects. The award reflects the strength of our technical approach, innovation, and sustainable design.

The USBRL is a nationally significant 272-kilometer railway corridor connecting the Kashmir Valley to the broader Indian Rail Network. Undertaken by the Government of India, this strategic project passes through mountainous terrain, high seismic zones, and extreme weather conditions, making it one of the most complex railway infrastructure projects in the region. Once completed, it will reduce travel time between Srinagar and Jammu from six hours to just three and a half, significantly improving regional connectivity.

Maccaferri played a key role by delivering engineered solutions at several critical locations across the project. The awarded case study focused on Bridge No. 42, where a shored hybrid reinforced soil embankment was designed and implemented. This marked the first time Indian Railways adopted a reinforced soil system of this height, utilizing site-won tunnel excavation muck as a sustainable and low-carbon alternative to concrete. The solution not only reduced environmental impact but also significantly lowered project costs and construction time.

Maccaferri extends its sincere appreciation to the International Geosynthetics Society, the organizers of GeoAsia8, and all our industry partners who joined us in Brisbane. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional work carried out by our teams and a reflection of the collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence that define Maccaferri’s approach worldwide.

As we continue to advance geotechnical innovation, this award serves as a reminder that impactful engineering is not only about solving technical challenges but also about building a more connected, resilient, and sustainable future.